Dancing Queen

Chapter 7

Benny hurried into the dance studio. He was late, as always, and he sighed irritably for that. He didn't do it on purpose, only that fate almost seemed to make fun of him when it was time to get away from work, but something happened on time that forced him to hold back longer than usual.

Luckily, he was still hearing the blasting music as he opened and closed the front door, filling the studio with a fast beat. He slowly approached the 'Grand plie' room, as the large bold lettering above the door said. He leaned against the doorframe and saw only two people in front of the mirrors.

His daughter and the beautiful dance teacher he was infatuated with.

Benny watched the two as they made movements to the music, concentrated. He smiled when he saw his little girl with a tense and concentrated gaze to seek the best precision in her movements. She was small for her age and quite set and he was head over heels in love with her little feet and little legs, even though she complained they weren't fit for a prima ballerina.

She was still breathtaking. Both were.

"Watch your arms, Heléne".

He heard Frida instruct, her tone strong and confident, but not intimidating.

Heléne was still living a very shy phase, shy with other children, shy with adults, but she had totally entrusted herself to Frida, following her suggestions without fear of her.

"Keep your toes pointed... And now bent your knees!" Frida said aloud, following the little girl in her movements. Hers were precise, strong, almost effortless, fluid.

The two stopped in front of the wall of mirrors that surrounded the room, Frida who continued to talk to Heléne and the little girl with her eyes wide open fixed on her figure while her ears were directed towards the voice of her teacher.

The two hold the final pose for a couple of seconds after the music stopped and then Frida smiled in the mirror and Heléne let out a little cry of victory, hopping on the spot and ending up squeezing the woman's legs.

"I did it! With no mistake!" Heléne announced, beaming at Frida, who smiled at her with matching excitement.

And if he thought she was gorgeous when she danced... Well, she was breathtaking when she smiled serenely.

'Beautiful and elusive' Benny thought, snorting silently and pursing his lips.

"You did it! I think you were almost better than me" Frida told her, stroking her hair and giving her a quick hug.

Heléne then released Frida from her grip, looking with a slight embarrassment on her plump cheeks. The little girl craved a reliable female figure in her life, he knew it, and he also knew that Frida was having an incredible influence on her. All because any woman Heléne had ever held in high regard in her life had let her down, and although he did not know Frida well, he had no idea if she was aware of having in her hands the delicate heart of his little girl . And that made him anxious.

He was so tired of seeing his little girl disappointed.

"Don't think so" Heléne chirped, embarrassed, looking down.

"Of course it's so" Frida bent down to catch the little girl's gaze "Anyway, we won't stop working on this one, ok?" she touched her cheek, making her smile "Now go relax a bit".

Benny took that moment to point out his presence "Beautiful performance" he said with a smile and a small clap.

"Daddy!" Heléne exclaimed in that little voice of hers that always melted his heart and ran towards him.

"Hey!" Benny greeted her, bending over his knees to hug her tightly "You okay?" he murmured to her.

"Hm hm" Heléne nodded and stroked his beard several times, one of her favorite pastimes since she was little "You're late again!" she said, not quite as a scolding given her final giggle.